Jacksonville FL – Flagler Beach FL local loop
Fri March 15, 2019
(~177 miles)

A GREAT night’s sleep on a NICE bed was just what the doc ordered. The hotel’s hot breakfast buffet hit the spot as well, and I had a great time eating and chatting with several friends I’d not seen for months. A Ride-To-Eat had been scheduled for lunch an hour south in Flagler Beach at Martins, same as last year. We decided to take our time in the morning, head directly there, and then ride some of the roads Ashley had shown us last year on our return to the hotel.

After a long leisurely breakfast and plenty of coffee, we met outside to hit the road. I was rooming with Billy Connacher, an IBR finisher and runner-up in last year’s Butt Lite rally. He joined Marc, Ken and I for the day’s ride, while Roy elected to hang around the hotel and relax off the bike.

We hopped on the interstate and zipped south for an hour and out to route A1A. It was a gorgeous day to be out riding and the views from Martins make for a great lunch stop, despite the road construction and detours in place along that stretch. There were a lot fewer bikes than last year, something we puzzled over, but it was still fun to kick some tires and chit-chat before we ate.

This fellow pulled in on a custom GoldWing with the Tilting Wheelworks trike modification, so that was very cool to see up close.

The fare is simple, mostly fried seafood, burgers or salads, and we enjoyed the companionship with a view. After eating, we were addressed by LD rider and accident-survivor Kevin Healey (aka Wizard), who delivered a sobering but uplifting talk on his experience and keeping a positive attitude about when things go wrong. Gave us all something to think about for sure, as we go about this nutso pastime of ours, and would provide some helpful perspective later during the trip.

There was (key lime) pie – alas not for me on this trip, but I took the picture all the same.

After the extended lunch, we were running a bit short on time as Marc and I wanted to be back to the hotel in time for the certificate awarding ceremonies beginning at 16:00. We followed last year’s back road route in reverse, through the pretty Tomoka Marsh Preserve, west out to US-17, before cutting it short to head straight for the hotel at the appropriate time. We missed out on some of the scenic portions next to the St. John’s River, but it was still a nice ride after all the interstates.

Back at the hotel, we cleaned up and gathered with dozens of other riders in the onsite Comedy Club room for the included bottomless beer and the certificate presentations by IBA president Mike Kneebone to riders who had done either yesterday’s organized Saddlesore/BBG rides around Florida or individual ride-ins from far-flung starting locations (like us).

One of yesterday’s rides was the Krazy Key West Saddlesore, which took riders there and back during the interminable daylight traffic. A test in patience and endurance to be sure! Another ride had brought participants to some of the hurricane-devastated coastal areas on the Gulf side of the state, to allow them to experience the effects of nature and the ocean and build empathy for the residents still trying to rebuild their lives in the aftermath. Certificates with special graphics were issued to those riders, making sharp-looking additions for their collections.

The Huvals, a 2-up couple from Louisiana, had done a SaddleSore 3000 (three days, 3000 miles) on the way here, including a Lap of Florida ride AND the Krazy Key West ride. Krazy nuthin.

More time was spent jawing and drinking until the keg ran dry, then it was time to line up for the banquet buffet line. It was a good standard spread of roast chicken, steak, and all the fixings. It was nice to have some real solid food and of course the dinner company and conversation was as interesting as it could get.

The room was filled with some 300 long distance riders, most of them IBA Premier members. As the eating wound down, Mr. Kneebone and friends, again took the stage to present some additional certifications for bigger achievements earned recently by several riders.

Riders are always pushing the envelope of what they can do in this corner of the sport, and sometimes all you can do is wonder. Roy stood up along with a couple other riders to receive his Mile Eater Titanium certificate, having documented 60 total IBA rides, 15 of which are considered “extreme”. Heidi Still was recognized for having documented a million miles ridden, and Dave McQueeney for surpassing two million.

Another rider was recognized for completing a WEEK of BBGs in a row, bringing his total to 46. I’ve completed three single BBGs now, and have been zonkered out completely after each one. I’d guess these feats most likely go under-appreciated in the daily lives of LD riders. This room understands and appreciates the grit and effort needed to plan and execute these rides…maybe even questions why they didn’t go just one step further. 😉

The featured guest speaker of the night was Paul Pelland, IBR finisher and champion of fundraising for a cure to MS, with which he has been diagnosed. He is on a quest to ride a million miles to raise awareness of this cause. Paul’s exploits and sense of humor are legendary in the community and he put on an extremely entertaining talk, showcasing a website parodying the IBA and offering for sale various gizmos to help endurance rally riders get an edge in their competitions. All in good fun, of course, and with the goal of raising more funds for MS research. He had the room in stitches, and ended the show by demonstrating the “Pumpkin Spice Motorcyclist Airbag”. Watch the video here.

With that, the banquet wrapped up, and I headed back to the room to plan out the next day’s route home. Billy stopped in and we spent some time reminiscing about the Butt Lite and using my laptop to compare our routes and experiences during that event. I hit the hay fairly early to catch up on more rest before tomorrow’s trip home.